In 2022, about 37.7 percent of the U.S. population who were aged 25 and above had graduated from college or another higher education institution, a slight decline from 37.9 the previous year. However, this is a significant increase from 1960, when only 7.7 percent of the U.S. population had graduated from college. Demographics Educational attainment varies by gender, location, race, and age throughout the United States. Asian-American and Pacific Islanders had the highest level of education, on average, while Massachusetts and the District of Colombia are areas home to the highest rates of residents with a bachelor’s degree or higher. However, education levels are correlated with wealth. While public education is free up until the 12th grade, the cost of university is out of reach for many Americans, making social mobility increasingly difficult. Earnings White Americans with a professional degree earned the most money on average, compared to other educational levels and races. However, regardless of educational attainment, males typically earned far more on average compared to females. Despite the decreasing wage gap over the years in the country, it remains an issue to this day. Not only is there a large wage gap between males and females, but there is also a large income gap linked to race as well.

In the academic year 2023/2024, of the over ******* higher education students in Portugal, ****** studied business sciences, administration, and law. With ****** students, engineering, manufacturing, and construction was the second-most chosen study field. While the engineering field dominated in Northern Portugal, the business one was the most relevant in Greater Lisbon.

This bulletin is the annual first release of HESA student data. It draws upon data from the revised student data collection (delivered by the Data Futures programme) and marks the second year of reporting using the new data model. Once again, a comprehensive quality assessment has been undertaken on the dataset and this is detailed in our accompanying student data quality report. A detailed list of findings is available in the data quality and insights resource, which is also accompanied by provider specific data notes. The coverage of data is detailed in the notes section of this release. In summary, we cover data about higher education students and qualifiers from the following types of providers within the UK: -Higher education (HE) providers in England registered with the Office for Students (OfS) in the Approved (fee cap) or Approved categories; -Publicly funded HE providers in Northern Ireland and Scotland; and -Providers in Wales that are funded directly for higher education provision by Medr and providers in Wales that return data to HESA about specifically designated courses. This bulletin also includes information from the HESA Aggregate Offshore record which can be seen in Figure 12. This separate record counts students studying wholly outside the UK who are either registered with the reporting HE provider or who are studying for an award of the reporting HE provider.

The Higher Education Research and Development (HERD) Survey is the primary source of information on R&D expenditures at U.S. colleges and universities. The survey collects information on R&D expenditures by field of research and source of funds and also gathers information on types of research, expenses, and R&D personnel. The survey is an annual census of institutions that expended at least $150,000 in separately accounted for R&D in the fiscal year. This dataset includes HERD assets for 2023.

Azerbaijan Educational Attainment: At Least Competed Short-Cycle Tertiary: Population 25+ Years: Total: % Cumulative data was reported at 27.660 % in 2023. This records an increase from the previous number of 27.650 % for 2022. Azerbaijan Educational Attainment: At Least Competed Short-Cycle Tertiary: Population 25+ Years: Total: % Cumulative data is updated yearly, averaging 25.405 % from Dec 2007 (Median) to 2023, with 16 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 27.660 % in 2023 and a record low of 24.920 % in 2007. Azerbaijan Educational Attainment: At Least Competed Short-Cycle Tertiary: Population 25+ Years: Total: % Cumulative data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Azerbaijan – Table AZ.World Bank.WDI: Social: Education Statistics. The percentage of population ages 25 and over that attained or completed short-cycle tertiary education.;UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS). UIS.Stat Bulk Data Download Service. Accessed April 5, 2025. https://apiportal.uis.unesco.org/bdds.;;

Bahamas BS: Educational Attainment: At Least Competed Short-Cycle Tertiary: Population 25+ Years: Total: % Cumulative data was reported at 27.908 % in 2023. This records an increase from the previous number of 22.494 % for 2019. Bahamas BS: Educational Attainment: At Least Competed Short-Cycle Tertiary: Population 25+ Years: Total: % Cumulative data is updated yearly, averaging 22.890 % from Dec 2010 (Median) to 2023, with 3 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 27.908 % in 2023 and a record low of 22.494 % in 2019. Bahamas BS: Educational Attainment: At Least Competed Short-Cycle Tertiary: Population 25+ Years: Total: % Cumulative data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Bahamas – Table BS.World Bank.WDI: Social: Education Statistics. The percentage of population ages 25 and over that attained or completed short-cycle tertiary education.;UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS). UIS.Stat Bulk Data Download Service. Accessed April 5, 2025. https://apiportal.uis.unesco.org/bdds.;;

Number of Students: Higher Education: Year to Date: Malaysia: Western Australia data was reported at 1,192.000 Person in Dec 2024. This records an increase from the previous number of 1,191.000 Person for Nov 2024. Number of Students: Higher Education: Year to Date: Malaysia: Western Australia data is updated monthly, averaging 2,061.500 Person from Jan 2002 (Median) to Dec 2024, with 276 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 3,160.000 Person in Dec 2004 and a record low of 694.000 Person in Jan 2023. Number of Students: Higher Education: Year to Date: Malaysia: Western Australia data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Department of Education. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Australia – Table AU.G120: Education Statistics: Number of Enrolments.

Overall educational attainment measures the highest level of education attained by a given individual: for example, an individual counted in the percentage of the measured population with a master’s or professional degree can be assumed to also have a bachelor’s degree and a high school diploma, but they are not counted in the population percentages for those two categories. Overall educational attainment is the broadest education indicator available, providing information about the measured county population as a whole.

Only members of the population aged 25 and older are included in these educational attainment estimates, sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).

Champaign County has high educational attainment: over 48 percent of the county's population aged 25 or older has a bachelor's degree or graduate or professional degree as their highest level of education. In comparison, the percentage of the population aged 25 or older in the United States and Illinois with a bachelor's degree in 2023 was 21.8% (+/-0.1) and 22.8% (+/-0.2), respectively. The population aged 25 or older in the U.S. and Illinois with a graduate or professional degree in 2022, respectively, was 14.3% (+/-0.1) and 15.5% (+/-0.2).

Educational attainment data was sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates, which are released annually.

As with any datasets that are estimates rather than exact counts, it is important to take into account the margins of error (listed in the column beside each figure) when drawing conclusions from the data.

Due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, instead of providing the standard 1-year data products, the Census Bureau released experimental estimates from the 1-year data in 2020. This includes a limited number of data tables for the nation, states, and the District of Columbia. The Census Bureau states that the 2020 ACS 1-year experimental tables use an experimental estimation methodology and should not be compared with other ACS data. For these reasons, and because data is not available for Champaign County, no data for 2020 is included in this Indicator.

For interested data users, the 2020 ACS 1-Year Experimental data release includes a dataset on Educational Attainment for the Population 25 Years and Over.

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau; American Community Survey, 2023 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates, Table S1501; generated by CCRPC staff; using data.census.gov; (16 October 2024).; U.S. Census Bureau; American Community Survey, 2022 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates, Table S1501; generated by CCRPC staff; using data.census.gov; (29 September 2023).; U.S. Census Bureau; American Community Survey, 2021 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates, Table S1501; generated by CCRPC staff; using data.census.gov; (6 October 2022).; U.S. Census Bureau; American Community Survey, 2019 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates, Table S1501; generated by CCRPC staff; using data.census.gov; (4 June 2021).; U.S. Census Bureau; American Community Survey, 2018 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates, Table S1501; generated by CCRPC staff; using data.census.gov; (4 June 2021).; U.S. Census Bureau; American Community Survey, 2017 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates, Table S1501; generated by CCRPC staff; using American FactFinder; (13 September 2018).; U.S. Census Bureau; American Community Survey, 2016 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates, Table S1501; generated by CCRPC staff; using American FactFinder; (13 September 2018). U.S. Census Bureau; American Community Survey, 2015 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates, Table S1501; generated by CCRPC staff; using American FactFinder; (19 September 2016).; U.S. Census Bureau; American Community Survey, 2014 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates, Table S1501; generated by CCRPC staff; using American FactFinder; (16 March 2016).; U.S. Census Bureau; American Community Survey, 2013 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates, Table S1501; generated by CCRPC staff; using American FactFinder; (16 March 2016).; U.S. Census Bureau; American Community Survey, 2012 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates, Table S1501; generated by CCRPC staff; using American FactFinder; (16 March 2016).; U.S. Census Bureau; American Community Survey, 2011 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates, Table S1501; generated by CCRPC staff; using American FactFinder; (16 March 2016).; U.S. Census Bureau; American Community Survey, 2010 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates, Table S1501; generated by CCRPC staff; using American FactFinder; (16 March 2016).; U.S. Census Bureau; American Community Survey, 2009 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates, Table S1501; generated by CCRPC staff; using American FactFinder; (16 March 2016).; U.S. Census Bureau; American Community Survey, 2008 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates, Table S1501; generated by CCRPC staff; using American FactFinder; (16 March 2016).; U.S. Census Bureau; American Community Survey, 2007 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates, Table S1501; generated by CCRPC staff; using American FactFinder; (16 March 2016).; U.S. Census Bureau; American Community Survey, 2006 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates, Table S1501; generated by CCRPC staff; using American FactFinder; (16 March 2016).; U.S. Census Bureau; American Community Survey, 2005 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates, Table S1501; generated by CCRPC staff; using American FactFinder; (16 March 2016).

1. Reference Year: 2022/20232. Enrolments in Further Education and Training are extracted from the SOLAS Programme Learner Support Service (PLSS)3. Enrolments in Higher Education are provided by the Higher Education Authority (HEA)4. Data covers full-time students only5. Enrolments are in state-funded institutions only and exclude enrolments in private colleges6. All values for Higher Education Students are rounded to the nearest 5 students with the individual figures rounded independently, so the sum of the component items may therefore not necessarily add to the totals shown7. Data on enrolments in further education for the academic year 2022/2023 will be included once it becomes available. This affects indicators across several areas

In an impressive increase from years past, 39 percent of women in the United States had completed four years or more of college in 2022. This figure is up from 3.8 percent of women in 1940. A significant increase can also be seen in males, with 36.2 percent of the U.S. male population having completed four years or more of college in 2022, up from 5.5 percent in 1940.

4- and 2-year colleges

In the United States, college students are able to choose between attending a 2-year postsecondary program and a 4-year postsecondary program. Generally, attending a 2-year program results in an Associate’s Degree, and 4-year programs result in a Bachelor’s Degree.

Many 2-year programs are designed so that attendees can transfer to a college or university offering a 4-year program upon completing their Associate’s. Completion of a 4-year program is the generally accepted standard for entry-level positions when looking for a job.

Earnings after college

Factors such as gender, degree achieved, and the level of postsecondary education can have an impact on employment and earnings later in life. Some Bachelor’s degrees continue to attract more male students than female, particularly in STEM fields, while liberal arts degrees such as education, languages and literatures, and communication tend to see higher female attendance.

All of these factors have an impact on earnings after college, and despite nearly the same rate of attendance within the American population between males and females, men with a Bachelor’s Degree continue to have higher weekly earnings on average than their female counterparts.

In Mexico, about four millions students were enrolled in a formal higher education program in the 2023/2024 academic year. The number of higher education students has been steadily increasing in the last decade, surpassing the threshold of three millions in the academic year 2011/2012, the four million threshold in 2019/2020.

Colombia CO: Educational Attainment: At Least Competed Short-Cycle Tertiary: Population 25+ Years: Male: % Cumulative data was reported at 25.173 % in 2023. This records an increase from the previous number of 24.653 % for 2022. Colombia CO: Educational Attainment: At Least Competed Short-Cycle Tertiary: Population 25+ Years: Male: % Cumulative data is updated yearly, averaging 17.020 % from Dec 2004 (Median) to 2023, with 18 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 25.173 % in 2023 and a record low of 11.890 % in 2006. Colombia CO: Educational Attainment: At Least Competed Short-Cycle Tertiary: Population 25+ Years: Male: % Cumulative data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Colombia – Table CO.World Bank.WDI: Social: Education Statistics. The percentage of population ages 25 and over that attained or completed short-cycle tertiary education.;UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS). UIS.Stat Bulk Data Download Service. Accessed April 5, 2025. https://apiportal.uis.unesco.org/bdds.;;

Bolivia BO: Educational Attainment: At Least Completed Post-Secondary: Population 25+ Years: Total: % Cumulative data was reported at 30.754 % in 2023. This records an increase from the previous number of 29.511 % for 2022. Bolivia BO: Educational Attainment: At Least Completed Post-Secondary: Population 25+ Years: Total: % Cumulative data is updated yearly, averaging 21.989 % from Dec 1992 (Median) to 2023, with 18 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 31.480 % in 2020 and a record low of 10.810 % in 1992. Bolivia BO: Educational Attainment: At Least Completed Post-Secondary: Population 25+ Years: Total: % Cumulative data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Bolivia – Table BO.World Bank.WDI: Social: Education Statistics. The percentage of population ages 25 and over that attained or completed post-secondary non-tertiary education.;UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS). UIS.Stat Bulk Data Download Service. Accessed April 5, 2025. https://apiportal.uis.unesco.org/bdds.;;

Botswana Educational Attainment: At Least Competed Short-Cycle Tertiary: Population 25+ Years: % Cumulative: Male data was reported at 31.376 % in 2023. This records an increase from the previous number of 30.174 % for 2022. Botswana Educational Attainment: At Least Competed Short-Cycle Tertiary: Population 25+ Years: % Cumulative: Male data is updated yearly, averaging 31.290 % from Dec 2019 (Median) to 2023, with 5 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 32.174 % in 2020 and a record low of 29.418 % in 2021. Botswana Educational Attainment: At Least Competed Short-Cycle Tertiary: Population 25+ Years: % Cumulative: Male data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Botswana – Table BW.World Bank.WDI: Social: Education Statistics. The percentage of population ages 25 and over that attained or completed short-cycle tertiary education.;UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS). UIS.Stat Bulk Data Download Service. Accessed April 5, 2025. https://apiportal.uis.unesco.org/bdds.;;

AZ: Educational Attainment: At Least Competed Short-Cycle Tertiary: Population 25+ Years: Female: % Cumulative data was reported at 27.100 % in 2023. This records a decrease from the previous number of 27.395 % for 2022. AZ: Educational Attainment: At Least Competed Short-Cycle Tertiary: Population 25+ Years: Female: % Cumulative data is updated yearly, averaging 23.555 % from Dec 2007 (Median) to 2023, with 16 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 27.395 % in 2022 and a record low of 22.800 % in 2007. AZ: Educational Attainment: At Least Competed Short-Cycle Tertiary: Population 25+ Years: Female: % Cumulative data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Azerbaijan – Table AZ.World Bank.WDI: Social: Education Statistics. The percentage of population ages 25 and over that attained or completed short-cycle tertiary education.;UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS). UIS.Stat Bulk Data Download Service. Accessed April 5, 2025. https://apiportal.uis.unesco.org/bdds.;;

In 2023, there were *** institutions of higher education in the state of California. Of these *** institutions, *** were four-year institutions and *** were two-year institutions. California had the most higher education institutions of any state in that year.

Snapshot img

Higher Education Market Size 2025-2029

The higher education market size is forecast to increase by USD 117.9 billion, at a CAGR of 18.9% between 2024 and 2029.

The market is experiencing significant shifts driven by advances in educational content delivery methods and the increasing prioritization of AI technology-integrated course offerings. This transformation is fueled by the growing expectation for flexible and accessible learning solutions, as well as the need to accommodate the rising cost of higher education. Institutions are increasingly adopting digital platforms and tools to enhance teaching and learning experiences, enabling students to access course materials and engage with instructors from anywhere, at any time. However, this transition poses challenges, such as ensuring data security and privacy, addressing the digital divide, and maintaining academic rigor in a technology-driven environment.
The market continues to evolve, with dynamic market activities unfolding across various sectors. Student support services, such as continuing education and financial aid, remain crucial in ensuring student success. Curriculum development and research collaboration are key areas of focus for higher education institutions, driving the need for instructor training and campus infrastructure improvements. Digital literacy and educational technology are increasingly integrated into degree programs, from bachelor's degrees to doctoral degrees, with online courses and blended learning becoming more prevalent. Digital archives and online libraries provide essential resources for students and faculty, while research funding and tuition fees shape the financial landscape.
 Cybersecurity incidents in education rose by 44% year-over-year in 2023, making data security and privacy critical concerns. Additionally, an estimated 34% of students in low-income or rural areas still lack reliable internet access, highlighting the persistent digital divide. To capitalize on these opportunities and navigate these challenges effectively, higher education institutions must remain agile and innovative, continuously adapting to the evolving needs of students and the market.

Major Market Trends & Insights

  APAC dominated the market and accounted for a 35% growth during the forecast period.
  The market is expected to grow significantly in North America as well over the forecast period.
  By the Learning Method, the Online sub-segment was valued at USD 33.59 billion in 2023
  By the End-user, the Private colleges sub-segment accounted for the largest market revenue share in 2023

Market Size & Forecast

  Market Opportunities: USD 294.62 billion
  Future Opportunities: USD 117.9 billion 
  CAGR : 18.9%
  APAC: Largest market in 2023

What will be the Size of the Higher Education Market during the forecast period?

Understand digital transformation trends in Higher Education Request Free Sample

The higher education market is experiencing rapid transformation, driven by the adoption of digital learning platforms, smart classroom technologies, and cloud-based education management systems. Institutions are increasingly implementing data analytics dashboards and AI-driven learning management systems to personalize student experiences and improve operational efficiency. The growing integration of automation features, predictive analytics, and compliance management tools aligns closely with the EdTech Solutions Market and smart campus market, ensuring streamlined academic processes and resource optimization.
Modern campuses are leveraging building automation and IoT in Education Market to enhance sustainability, energy efficiency, and student safety. Furthermore, virtual learning environments, VR-based simulations, and adaptive assessment tools are reshaping how institutions deliver education, enabling flexibility and scalability. Internal linking opportunities exist with markets like learning management systems, Cloud-Based Property Solutions Market, and Facility Management Software Market, which share synergies in infrastructure optimization and digital administration.
Recent analysis suggests that over 72% of higher education institutions plan to expand technology budgets for e-learning platforms by 2029, reflecting a strong focus on automation, data-driven decision-making, and student-centric solutions for competitive advantage.
Retention rates and graduation rates are essential metrics, with career services and alumni relations playing a crucial role in student engagement and post-graduation success. As of 2023, the average first-year retention rate in U.S. colleges was around 76%, while the six-year graduation rate stood at approximately 64%, highlighting the ongoing need for stronger student engagement and support systems. Personalized learning, gamified learning, and adaptiv

Graph and download economic data for Bachelor's Degree or Higher (5-year estimate) in Orange County, FL (HC01ESTVC1712095) from 2010 to 2023 about Orange County, FL; Orlando; educational attainment; tertiary schooling; education; FL; 5-year; and USA.